1/2 tsp. ground white pepper (can be purchased at some supermarkets, OR at Asian food stores)

3 Tbsp. fish sauce

1 tsp. brown sugar

2 Tbsp. lime juice

Preparation:

Place all the "green curry paste" ingredients together in a food processor, and process to a paste. If necessary, add a few Tbsp. of the coconut milk to help blend ingredients. Set aside.

Prepare the lime leaves by tearing the leaf away from either side of the stem. Discard the central stem.

Warm a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the oil and swirl around, then add the green curry paste.

Stir-fry briefly to release the fragrance (30 seconds to 1 minute), then add 3/4 of the coconut milk, reserving 2-3 Tbsp. per serving portion for later.

Add the chicken, stirring to incorporate. When the curry sauce comes to a boil, reduce heat to medium or medium-low, until you get a nice simmer.

Cover and allow to simmer 3-5 more minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Stir occasionally.

Add the red bell pepper and zucchini, plus the strips of lime leaf (or lime zest), stirring well to incorporate. Simmer another 2-3 minutes, or until vegetables are softened but still firm and colorful.

Do a taste-test for salt, adding 1-2 Tbsp. fish sauce if not salty enough. If you'd prefer a sweeter curry, add a little more sugar. If too salty, add a squeeze of lime or lemon juice. If too spicy, add more coconut milk. Note that this curry should be a balance of salty, spicy, sweet and sour, plus bitter (the bitter is found in the fresh basil garnish).

Serve this curry in bowls with rice served separately, allowing guests to add their own. Top each portion with fresh basil, then drizzle over 2-3 Tbsp. coconut milk, and ENJOY!

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

RAMADAN DUA LIST – Guidelines, Tips & Dua Suggestions

Bismillah

One of the reasons most of us are excited about Ramadan is because it is in this beautiful month that we are hoping to get our duas accepted. And honestly truth be told not a single one of us is not in need of a dua being answered.

What is Ramadan Dua List?What duas should I make?Are there any Ramadan Specific duas?

RAMADAN DUA LISTA list consisting of personal duas + duas from Sunnah and Qur’an that you intend to make during the month of Ramadan in the form of a book or a printout. These duas can be made throughout the day at any time or you can allot specific timings to specific duas. A List will improve productivity + ensure you do not forget any dua.

DIVIDE YOUR DUAS INTO 6 PARTS1st Part – Atleast 10 duas that you intend to make during Fajr Salaah. The Duas need to be less than 10. Do not overwhelm yourself. If you can make alot of dua then go ahead, whatever floats your boat.2nd Part – Repeat the same with different set of duas for Dhohr.3rd Part – Repeat the same with different set of duas of Asr.4th Part – Repeat the same with different set of duas for Maghrib.5th Part – Repeat the same with different set of duas for Isha.6th Part – Atleast 20 Duas that you intend to make before breaking fast and during Qiyaam or Tahajjud. These duas need to be special and the ones that you want the most. Make sure you include duas that balance deen and duniya. Do not forget to include Ummah in this particular section.

DUAS IN SUJOODList down atleast 4 duas that you will and should make in every single sujood. Again make sure these are the duas that you need the most. I would repeat my advise and admonish you not to increase the number.

ARE THERE ANY RAMADAN SPECIFIC DUAS?Yes! There are 2 authentic Ramadan Specific duas.Dua 1: “After” breaking fast.Note: All the duas that circulate during Ramadan “before” breaking fast are da’if. It is best to say bismillah and break your fast. And then make the following dua. Simple and easy.

Marwan ibn Salim al-Muqaffa’ said: I saw Ibn Umar holding his beard with his hand and cutting what exceeded the handful of it. He (Ibn Umar) said that the Prophet (ﷺ) said when he broke his fast: Thirst has gone, the arteries are moist, and the reward is sure, if Allah wills.{Sunan Abi Dawud – Hassan}

Dua 2 : During Last 10 Days of Ramadan.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun, tuhibbul-’afwa, fa’fu ‘anniO Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness; so forgive me

‘Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I asked: “O Messenger of Allah! If I realize Lailat-ul-Qadr (Night of Decree), what should I supplicate in it?” He (ﷺ) replied, “You should supplicate: Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun, tuhibbul-’afwa, fa’fu ‘anni (O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness; so forgive me).”{At-Tirmidhi}

SOME DUA WORDINGS & IDEAS(Please feel free to include these in your list)

Include Ummah and their hardships in your dua list.Muslims from Syria, Egypt, Palestine, Kashmir, Srilanka .. the list is endless.Single mothers.Widows.Couples with fertility issues.Single muslims struggling to get married.Muslims with diseases.Muslims in Debts.Dua for protection against fitna of grave, Dajjal and Hell fire.Dua to be amongst Sabiqoon mentioned in Surah Al Waqiyah and under the shade of Allah’s throne on the Day of Judgment.To drink water from the fountain of Al Kauthar from Prophet’s ﷺhands on Day of Judgment (salallahu aleyhi wasallam).Dua for your progeny,your husband,parents,siblings and inlaws (even if you are single).Dua for money/bling and financial security – You can make dua to be a billionaire with Allah anything is possible.Dua to make you a rich muslim who spends in the path of Allah and is not greedy or stringy or one who spends money on wrong affairs.Dua to be free from grudges, jealousy,ungratefulness and hatred.Dua for Muslim Prisoners and their families.Dua for humanity and Orphans.Dua for studies and goals in life.Dua for Jannatul firdous al alaa.Dua to be the neighbour of Prophetﷺ and his companions (salallahu aleyhi wasallam and radiallahu anhuma).Dua to ward off hardships that one’s qadr might have and replace them with blessings.Dua to keep us humble and on the right path without hardships being reminders to humble us.Dua for good health for self and loved ones.Dua for calling us to Mecca and Madina for Hajj and Umrah time and again!Dua for Muslims who have Psychological diseases and hardships.Dua for Cancer patients.Dua for protection against punishment of grave and the pain of death.Dua to cross the bridge of Siraat with the speed of light and more.Dua for protection against black magic and evil eye.Dua to make family ties strong.Dua to be the Oolil Albaab/People of sound understanding.Some suggestions from the top of my head!

TWO DUA TIPSTip 1 – Recite the Dua Prophet Muhammad ﷺ often made.

اللهم آتنا في الدنيا حسنة، وفي الآخرة حسنة، وقنا عذاب النار

Allahumma atina fid-dunya hasanatan, wa fil-akhirati hasanatan, wa qina ‘adhab-annarO our Rubb! give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the punishment of the Fire

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:The supplication most often recited by the Prophet (ﷺ) was: “Allahumma atina fid-dunya hasanatan, wa fil-akhirati hasanatan, wa qina ‘adhab-annar (O our Rubb! give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the punishment of the Fire).”‘{Al-Bukhari and Muslim}In the narration of Muslim it is added that whenever Anas supplicated, he used to beseech Allah with this Du’a.

Tip 2 – Purchase Fortress of the MuslimPurchase atleast 10 copies. Consider this an investment. Gift it to your friends/family/reverts you know of.Keep it handy at all times specially during Ramadan. Have free time? Open the book and start making duas from it.An online version is available but I highly recommend that you purchase a hardcopy. Once you are online there are so many distractions. And personally I like to sit on my prayer mat and make dua in the seclusion of my room. I do not like distractions and I reckon no one else does. Gifting it to others and they benefiting from it will gain you more reward, and who doesn’t want extra reward in Ramadan?Get highlighters in 5 different colours and mark your duas.For instance all duas marked with green are the ones you intend to make in Fajr Salaah and the ones with red in dhohr and so on. That way you will be dividing your duas and making sure you make all of them without getting tired or disinterested.

DUA POINTERS THAT YOU NEED TO REMEMBER

It is from the sunnah to repeat your dua 3 times.

It is from the etiquette of dua to make it in a moderate voice.Not too loud.Not too low.O people! Don’t exert yourselves, for you do not call a deaf or an absent one, but you call the All- Listener, the All-Seer.– Prophet Muhammad{Sahih Al Bukhari}

Call Allah using His Beautiful NamesAl Wali – The Protecting Friend.Al Qareeb – The One who is Near.Al Wakeel – The Most Trustworthy.

If Allah granted the dua of Shaytan do you think he will not grant your dua?

Remember that the reply of dua comes in 3 formsa) Yes.b) Yes but on a later date, not immediately.c) Some difficult/trouble is waved off.“No believer makes Dua and it is wasted. Either it is granted here in this world or deposited for him in the Hereafter as long as he does not get frustrated.”- Aisha radiAllahu anha

Make dua for your friends and Ummah, Angels will make the same dua for you. It is an absolute win win situation. Make sure you make dua for atleast 10 close friends.

Begin & End your dua by sending Salaam on Prophet Muhammad.”Invoke blessings at the beginning and the end of your supplications. Allah is sure to accept both blessings and it is unlikely that He would not accept what is in between.”– Abu Sulaiman Ad-Darani”

Duaa is suspended between heaven and earth and none of it is taken up until you send blessings upon your Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam.”– Umar radiAllahu anhuStudy this in details HERE

Some Salaf made dua for 20 years and were still hopefull that their dua will be accepted and responded to. Always remember this if you tend to get impatient.

Dua is a form of Worship. You get rewarded for making dua. This itself should be reason enough for us to be constantly engaged in making dua.

When Allah mentions dua in Qur’an he establishes a direct connection with you. Even Prophet Muhammad is moved away from inbetween. Usually Allah commands prophet Muhammad to “tell it” to the people. But when it comes to verse about Dua “qul” is removed. This conveys pure tawheed. Dua makes a “direct” connection between you and Allah, not even Prophet Muhammad, no messenger, no wali is between you and Allah.SubhanAllah take a moment and visual a pure direct connection that is established between you and Allah whenever you start making dua!!Fathkuroonee athkurkumSo remember Me; I will remember you.{Surat Al Baqarah 2: Ayaah 152}

Dua is more likely to be answered in sujood, before tasleem in fard Salaah, between Adhan and Iqamaa, before breaking fast, 1/3rd end of the night also known as tahajjud or qiyaam ul layl, when it rains,.. to name a few.Learn to combine these.Example – Dua in Sujood during Ramadan at Tahajjud on the possible odd nights of laylatul Qadr!

To humble yourself before Allah whilst making dua, confess your sins.

Know that Allah is shy and will not return a servant empty handed.Salman Al-farsi narrated that the Prophet said:“Indeed, Allah, is Hayy, Generous, when a man raises his hands to Him, He feels too shy to return them to him empty and rejected.”{Tirmidhi}

Make dua with sincerity & Humility. You must ensure that your heart/Qalb submits totally, sincerely and wholeheartedly to Allah. Allah does not listen to an absent heart.“O you who believe! Enter into Islam wholeheartedly, without reservation…”{Surat Al Baqara 2 : Ayaah 208}Your Qalb/Heart cannot be compartmentalized. You cannot dedicate one piece of it to Allah and another to some other illah/god, like wealth, status, career, spouse and so on.

Make dua with Yaqeen and certainity. Make sure you put your faith in the dua and be positive that Allah will answer it. Have Tawakkul-this is going to happen! Don’t say I don’t know if this is going to work. If you are not committing any major sins it will work – bi’ithinillah. Be firm and don’t be hesitant that Allah will not answer you.

Allah loves it when you make dua.

Allah gets angry when you do not ask him or make dua to Him.“Whoever does not call upon Allah, He will be angry with him.”- Prophet Muhammad{Sunan Ibn Majah}

Dua is your weapon against everything and everyone.

Only dua has the power to change Qadr/Destiny. Make dua that if there are hardships written in your qadr that Allah replaces them with blessings instead.

Your dua is more likely to be accepted if you constantly and sincerely repent. Repentance cleanses you of your sins and you are in a purer state when you plead Allah.

Be Patient. Do not be in a haste. Keep negative thoughts concerning your dua and Allah at bay. Erase them totally if possible.“(The du’aa’) of any one of you will be answered so long as he is not hasty in seeking a response and does not say, ‘I prayed but I have not had a response.’”- Prophet Muhammad{Sahih Al Bukhari & Sahih Muslim}

DUA SUGGESTIONS

a) Dua for the best of both worldsRabbana atinafee addunya hasanatan wafee al-akhiratihasanatan waqina AAathaba annar.Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.{Surat Al Baqarah 2 : Ayaah 201}

b) Dua during Distress (Keeping in mind as humans we are never “totally” free from distress,thus making this dua constantly is very beneficial.)La ilaha il-lallah Al-`Alimul-Halim. La-ilaha illallah Rabul- Arsh-al-Azim, La ilaha-il-lallah Rabus-Samawati Rab-ul-Ard; wa Rab-ul-Arsh Al- Karim.None has the right to be worshipped but Allah the incomparably great, the compassionate. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah the rub of the mighty throne. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah the rub of the heavens, the rub of the earth, and the rubb of the honorable throne.{Sahih Al Bukhari}

c) Dua for Spouse and ChildrenRabbanahab lana min azwajina wathurriyyatinaqurrata aAAyunin wajAAalna lilmuttaqeena imamaOur Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous.{Surat Al Furqan 25: Ayaah 74}

d) Dua for Forgiveness and a Beautiful EndRabbana faghfirlana thunoobana wakaffir AAannasayyi-atina watawaffana maAAa al-abrarOur Lord! Forgive us our sins and remit from us our evil deeds, and make us die in the state of righteousness along with Al-Abrar (those who are obedient to Allah and follow strictly His Orders).{Surat Ali Imran 3: Ayaah 193}

g) Dua for Guidance towards the best of MannersInna salati wa nusuki wa mahyaya wa mamati lillahi rabbil-alamin, la sharika lahu, wa bidhalika umirtu wa ana min al-muslimin. Allahummahdini liahsanil-amali wa ahsanil-akhlaqi la yahdi li ahsaniha illa anta wa qini sayy’al-a’mali wa sayy’al-ahaqi la yaqi sayy’aha illa ant.Indeed my salah (prayer), my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of all that exists. He has no partner. And of this I have been commanded, and I am one of the Muslims. O Allah, guide me to the best of deeds and the best of manners, for none can guide to the best of them but You. And protect me from bad deeds and bad manners, for none can protect against them but You.{Sunan An Nasai}

i) Dua for Protection Against HellfiireRabbanaisrif AAanna AAathaba jahannama inna AAathabahakana gharama Innaha saat mustaqarran wamuqamaOur Lord! Avert from us the torment of Hell. Verily! Its torment is ever an inseparable, permanent punishment. Evil indeed it (Hell) is as an abode and as a place to dwell.{Surat Al Furqan 25: Ayaat 65-66}

j) Dua for confessing your Sins – Dua of Yunus aleyhi salaam.If you know what verse follows this verse you will never stop making this dua!SubhanAllah. May Allah answer our prayers as He responded to the call of our beloved Prophet Yunus aleyhi salaam.La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inneekuntu mina aththalimeen[none has the right to be worshipped but You (O Allah)], Glorified (and Exalted) are You [above all that (evil) they associate with You]. Truly, I have been of the wrong-doers.{Surat Al Anbya 21: Ayaah 87}

FOLLOWING VERSE -Fastajabna lahu wanajjaynahumina alghammi wakathalika nunjee almu/mineenSo We responded to him and saved him from the distress. And thus do We save the believers.{Surat Al Anbya 21: Ayaah 88}

May Allah make us from the believers whom He saves!! Ameen

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Shall I not tell you of something that, if any worldly calamity or disaster befalls any man among you and he says these words, he will be relieved of it. (It is) the du’aa’ of Dhu’l-Noon: “Laa ilaaha illa anta subhaanaka inni kuntu min al-zaalimeen (none has the right to be worshipped but You (O Allaah), Glorified (and Exalted) be You [above all that (evil) they associate with You]! Truly, I have been of the wrongdoers).” According to another report: “No Muslim man says this du’aa’ concerning anything but Allaah will answer his prayer.”{Saheeh al-Jaami’ al-Sagheer wa Ziyaadatuhu, 2065}

k) Dua for protection against an oppressor or when you are feeling totally helpless – Dua of Nuh aleyhi salaamRabbahu annee maghloobun fantasirIndeed, I am overpowered, so help(me).{Surat Al Qamar 54: Ayaah 10}

l) Dua for the best disposal of your Affairs – Dua of Ibrahim aleyhi salaamHasbunaAllahu waniAAma alwakeelSufficient for us is Allah , and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs.{Surat Ali Imran 3: Ayaah 173}

p) Dua for Protection Against Hellfire, Grave & DajjalAllahumma inni a’udhu bika min ‘adhabi jahannam, wa min ‘adhabil-qabr, wa min fitnatil-mahya wal-mamat, wa min sharri fitnatil-masihid-dajjal.“O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the torment of Hell, from the torment of the grave, from the trials of life and death, and from the mischief of Al-Masih Ad-Dajjal (Antichrist).”{Sahih Muslim}

DUAS FOR CHILDRENSubhanAllah nearly every week we get emails from sisters asking us for duas that might get them pregnant. I pray Allah answers your dua for a poius, healthy and beautiful progeny this Ramadan.Here are some of the duas you can make.

4. Dua from Surat Al FurqanRabbanahab lana min azwajina wathurriyyatinaqurrata aAAyunin wajAAalna lilmuttaqeena imama“Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous.”{Surat Al Furqan 25: Ayaah 74}

5. Dua from Surat Al AhqafRabbiawziAAnee an ashkura niAAmataka allatee anAAamta AAalayya waAAalawalidayya waan aAAmala salihan tardahuwaaslih lee fee thurriyyatee innee tubtuilayka wa-innee mina almuslimeen.“My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to work righteousness of which You will approve and make righteous for me my offspring. Indeed, I have repented to You, and indeed, I am of the Muslims.”{Surat Al Ahqaf 46: Ayaah 15}

CRYING WHILE MAKING DUA

Crying and Beseeching Allah in times of hardship comes naturally. Especially when we are feeling helpless. This problem arises when we are surrounded with blessings and yet our heart yearns for the sweetness of crying out to Allah either in repentance or in humble gratitude. Here are few tips that might help you:1. Imagine yourself lying alone in your grave.2. Imagine your sins that Allah in His ultimate mercy covered and has still kept hidden.3. Imagine seeing Hellfire.4. Imagine standing naked on the day of judgment waiting to receive your book of deeds.5. Imagine Allah turning away from you or making you blind on the day of judgment.6. Imagine the innumerable blessings of Allah that you DO NOT deserve yet Allah has showered you with.7. Imagine the diseases and hardships Allah has saved you from which others are suffering with. Rape, Marital Abuse, Cancer, Abusive Parents and the list of evil things which could have happened but DID NOT is literally ENDLESS!8. Last and the MOST IMPORTANT make a constant small effort to gain more knowledge. The greater knowledge you have about the seerah, names of Allah and Tafseer of the Qur’an inshaAllah the greater will be your humility, fear and Love of Allah. We pray Allah keeps us away and saves us from being those who have knowledge but are arrogant. Knowledge is beneficial only when it increases us in humility.

If someone is new to Islam and is wondering why should I even be crying or trying to cry?

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“No man will enter the Fire who weeps for fear of Allah, Most High, until the milk goes back into the udders. And the dust (of Jihad) in the cause of Allah, and the smoke of Hell will never be combined.”{Sunan An Nasai}

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said Allah will give shade to seven (types of people) under His Shade (on the Day of Resurrection). (one of them will be) a person who remembers Allah and his eyes are then flooded with tears.{Sahih Al Bukhari}

I pray every single dua we make this Ramadan gets accepted. One of the duas that I wanted to be answered the most took 3 YEARS! So if you have been making dua for something please do not give up. I am extremely grateful to Allah for not anwering my dua for those 3 years. I learnt so many lessons in deen and duniya as a consequence of that dua not being answered for so long. There is always so much wisdom behind Allah’s plan which we seldom cannot see or get irritated with.

“Had Allah lifted the veil for His slave and shown him how He handles his affairs for him, and how Allah is more keen for the benefit of the slave than His own self, his heart would have melted out of the love for Allah and would have been torn to pieces out of thankfulness to Allah.Therefore if the pains of this world tire you do not grieve. For it may be that Allah wishes to hear your voice by way of dua. So pour out your desires in prostration and forget about it and know, that verily Allah does not forget it.” - Ibn al Qayyim (rahimahullah)

Be consistent and ask for whatever you want. Allah is the owner of the heavens and the Earth! For Him nothing is impossible.

No person by himself is capable of fighting against the current of misfortune or trials, nor can humans fend off the blows of disaster & tests when they strike. This is because man was created weak and fragile. However, when in times of difficulty, the believer places his dependency and trust with his Lord; he knows that all difficulties can be overcome. By leaving your affairs to Allah, by depending upon Him, by trusting in His promise, by being pleased with His decree, by thinking favorably of Him, and by waiting patiently for His help, you reap some of the greater fruits of faith and display the more prominent characteristics of the believer. When you incorporate these qualities into your character, you will be at peace concerning the future, because you will depend on your Lord for everything. As a result, you will find care, help, protection, and victory.